CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona sophomore third baseman Jackie Coburn attempts to throw out a runner during UA's win over Oregon on Saturday night.

Softball sends Ducks, Beavers home winless

While lacking in both experience and depth in its pitching rotation, the Arizona softball team demonstrated this weekend that it can compete against the elite teams in the Pacific-10 Conference.

The Wildcats (34-3) opened conference play by sending the packed house at UA's Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium home early after the eight-run mercy rule was implemented yesterday in an 8-0 victory over Oregon.

"We came out and swung the bat," UA head coach Mike Candrea said. "We played the game the way we're supposed to play. The talent will get deeper in Pac-10 play."

Freshman centerfielder Autumn Champion scored the first UA run off of an error committed by the Ducks' right fielder.

Senior shortstop Lovie Jung sparked a series of runs for the Wildcats with a solo homer in the bottom of the third inning to give UA a 2-0 lead.

Jung's home run fueled a fire for sophomore third baseman Jackie Coburn, who followed her example in the same inning and blasted a single home run with one out.

Candace Abrams hit a pinch hit double in the bottom of the fourth inning. Leadoff hitter Champion followed with a bunt before Jung drove in her second RBI of the game to give the Wildcats a 4-0 lead.

Junior catcher Mackenzie Vandergeest's sacrifice pop fly added one more run to the Wildcats two-run fourth inning.

Champion drove in a run during the fifth inning that put the Wildcats ahead of the Ducks, 6-0.

But it was senior second baseman Lisha Ribellia's game-ending single that scored Arizona's final run and dropped the Ducks, 8-0.

After the game, UA's two seniors received nods from Candrea.

"Lisha (did a great job) coming through to drive in that run and end the game," Candrea said. "Jung's having a great year. She has great hands and a great head ÷ she's a different breed."

Freshman pitcher Alicia Hollowell stuck out four batters and allowed three hits as she pitched all six innings for the Wildcats.

In her first glimpse of Pac-10 competition, the UA freshman noticed a difference in the players.

"There are better hitters that come out hitting and are ready to go," Hollowell said. "There's no Division I team that you can walk all over."

The Wildcats sent a statement to the rest of the Pac-10 as they sent both Oregon teams home with a loss, helping them open up the regular season with a three-game series sweep.

Hollowell threw her way to a no hitter ÷ her third of the season ÷ as UA destroyed Oregon State 8-0 Friday night.

Coburn blasted a three-run homer run in the bottom of the first inning to give UA a 3-0 lead. Vandergeest scored a run off of an error, to put Arizona ahead by four runs.

Arizona scored its last four runs of the game in the fifth inning and sent the crowd home early once again.

Ribellia was the game-ending hero, as she blasted a double to left field with two outs.

Hollowell pitched all five innings, struck out eight batters and walked just three.

Hollowell pitched a one-hitter in Saturday's first matchup against the Ducks in a 4-1 victory.

After a smooth start to open up Pac-10 play, the Wildcats face a tougher competition on the road against Washington and then UCLA this weekend.